13th Region: Week 2

And that wraps up week 2 for your 13th region. There are currently two undefeated teams within the region, and two winless teams in the region. Williamsburg probably has the best shot to be the last undefeated team in the region with a rather easier schedule. South Laurel, if they go undefeated this week it will mean they have knocked off state power Trinity. A few of the region teams played in the WYMT Classic, and Harlan Co was able to bring home runner up. With this week, schedules will change and more games will be added as a lot of the teams go and play in tournaments towards the end of the week. The Laurel Counties are at the top of the rankings, but Harlan County and Corbin are still knocking right at the door.  

Week 2 Rankings:

1. South Laurel (4-0): The Cardinals are now one of only two undefeated teams within the region. They had a big time win over crosstown rival North Laurel on the road by 8. They followed that up with a 9 point win over Montgomery County at Bell County in the Pride of the Mountains Showcase. They have a huge chance this week to send a message to the rest of the state if they can knock off Trinity on Thursday. That’s the only game on the schedule right now so they should be full tilt and full focus on that one. 

2. North Laurel (4-1): The Jaguars went 1-1 after a tough loss to region number one. They kept South from never really running away with it, but they also never really threatened to take it either. Kole Jervis led the way with 14 but South was able to keep Reece Davidson under wraps while he was only able to score 11 in the loss. North did bounce back quickly though, with a 48 point win over OBI. Tonight they host Red Bird at home. At the end of the week, they will go to the Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic and partake in that tournament. They open up with Brooks (Killen) AL. 

3. Harlan County (5-1): Harlan County finished as the runner ups in the WYMT Classic this past week. They opened up with a 15 point win over Perry County Central. Then, in a game they were down most of the way through and also in the fourth, they managed to come back and beat Clay County by four. This set up the championship against Hazard. The game went back and forth, and it seemed like they had lost Reggie Cottrell right before the half to a sprained ankle, but he came back and gutted the second half out. HC was up 2 with 4 seconds left when Hazard threw it in and got an and one with 1.3 left to win the game and give Harlan Co their first loss on the season. It looks like the Black Bears will be traveling to HIlton Head and playing in a tournament over this coming weekend as they play Boyd Anderson FL on Friday. 

4. Corbin (3-2): The Redhounds reeled off the perfect week and jumped into the win column by doing so. The first was a 61 point win over Lynn Camp. Eleven players got in the scoring column, Ryder Adkins leading them with 19 and 8. They then had a 16 point win over Jackson County on the road and a 9 point win over Tri-Cities Christian Academy. This week they go to Berea on Tuesday, before playing in the Rocky Top Sports World tournament in TN later in the week. Their first game is against Loretto, TN. 

5. Clay County (2-2): Clay also played in the WYMT Classic last week. They began the tournament with a close two point win over Perry County Central. Aiden Wagers led the way with 17 and Ethan Jackson was close behind him with 13. They then had Harlan County on the ropes, leading by as many as 9 in the fourth but couldn’t finish them and eventually lost by four. Aiden Wagers led again with 16 and Adon Grubb was close behind with 11. They get a chance to get back in the win column tonight as they host Whitley County at 7:30. Tomorrow they host Pineville, and Saturday they play Wayne County at Sayre in the 2024 Republic Bank - Lankster Classic. 

6. Bell County (3-3): The Bobcats went 1-1 on the week, with a 51 point win over Middlesboro and a 4 point loss to GRC. The game against GRC would’ve been a huge one to walk away from with the win. Cameron Hall had 18 in the loss. Bell is an intriguing team so far this year. They go to Harlan on Tuesday, then host Belfry on Friday in the Redmond Auto Group Holiday Classic. 

7. Whitley County (5-1): Whitley suffered their first taste of defeat Saturday to Marion by 3 points. They did however, dominate Jackson County and Middlesboro earlier in the week. This is a team that many thought would struggle with losing Evan Ellis in the beginning of the season, but is quietly putting together a solid year. The Colonels are led in scoring by three freshmen, so the future for sure looks bright for Whitley as long as they can keep that group together. Whitley can shoot up the rankings if they’re able to knock off Clay County tonight. They also play Clayton-Bradley Academy TN in a tournament Thursday through Saturday. 

8. Knox Central (3-1): Knox suffered their first loss on the year with an 11 point setback to Wayne County, but rebounded with a 21 point win over Bath County. Austin Bargo, Grayson Burton, and Johnathan Hobbs combined for 37 in the loss to Wayne County, but combined for 59 in the win over Bath County. It seems like their success is highly measured on how those big three do. The Panthers play Harlan at home tonight, then Owsley County on the road Thursday and Buckhorn on the road Friday. 

9. Pineville (2-1): The Mountain Lions lost their first game of the WYMT Classic in a close 3 point game to Breathitt County. Puckett led them in scoring with 21, then Sawyer Thompson with 20, and Ashton Moser with 15. They won the next game over Prestonsburg by 7 in a game that saw Ashton Moser erupt for 35 and Sawyer Thompson for 29. Moser scored 35 on 71% from the field, and added 6 boards. If Pineville wants to shoot up the rankings, they have a chance as they go to Clay County on Tuesday. They will then finish up the week at the Smokey Mountain Christmas Classic. They play Briarwood Christian School AL in the first game. 

10. Williamsburg (6-0): The Yellowjackets are the other undefeated team in the region. They had a 27 point win over Cordia and a 62 point win over Lynn Camp on the week. Although the schedule hasn’t been anything to write home about, they are winning their games. This week they will go to Barbourville tonight, then play in the Wildcat Classic to finish out the week. They have Model Thursday, Middlesboro Friday, and Lynn Camp again Saturday. 

11. Jackson County (3-2): After starting the season 3-0 the generals have somewhat cooled off. Playing Whitley and Corbin both close to the half, Jackson Co eventually hit a stumbling block and dropped both games by 16. Clemons and Ward were the leading scorers in both games. Jackson County is back in action this week with OBI on the road Tuesday, then Campbell Co TN on Friday. 

12. OBI (3-3): OBI had a productive week going 2-1. They also jumped barbourville in the rankings with their 13 point win over the tigers. They got killed by North Laurel but won by 14 over Owsley Co. They host Jackson County Tuesday with a chance to keep climbing the rankings, then play Buckhorn and Leslie Co to round out the week. 

13. Barbourville (3-1): The tigers went 1-1 with a loss to OBI and a commanding win over Red Bird. They host Williamsburg on Monday with a chance to rise, and also play Christian Academy (TN) Saturday. 

14. Harlan (1-4): Harlan got their first win of the year this past week over Lee VA, but just dropped a close one to Williamsburg and one to Somerset Christian School. The Green Dragons have an extremely busy week this week with Knox Central, Bell County, Spring Hill TN, Pulaski County, and Henry Clay.  

15. Middlesboro (1-4): The Yellowjackets went 0-3 on the week, all 3 blowouts. They get a chance to get back in the win column at Lynn Camp on Thursday. They also play Williamsburg and Model to round out the week. 

16. Lynn Camp (0-6): After a 0-3 week, the Wildcats are looking to find their first win this week. They play at Red Bird Tuesday where someone will get their first win. They finish the week with Middlesboro, Model, and Williamsburg. 

17. Red Bird (0-4): The Cardinals are 0-4 with four huge losses. Their best chance for a win though lies in this week. After getting North Laurel out of the way, they’ll play winless Lynn Camp, and winless Cordia.